This is a comprehensive treatment of one of Alaska’s oldest ancestral languages. Through its 19,000 entries and thirty-one appendices—with categories such as kin terms, names of constellations, and a list of explanations—the dictionary is an exceptional blend of linguistic and cultural references.

“This magnificent reference is the fruit of decades of painstaking research by MacLean, who worked extensively with Native speakers of every local dialect. It offers far more than an alphabetical listing of Iñupiaq words followed by English translations. Readers will find clear, concise descriptions of most aspects of the phonology and grammar and over 30 finely illustrated appendixes on thematic topics such as kinship terms, locational words, the names of winds and ocean currents, Arctic flora and fauna, the names of sled and kayak details, number systems, and even snow terms.”

Anthropological Linguistics

"[This book] provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the grammar, lexicon, and history of the language, while simultaneously providing a great deal of insight into Iñupiaq culture and traditional knowledge. . . . Edna Ahgeak MacLean has accomplished an impressive work of language documentation and it should serve as a precious tool for language conservation and revitalization efforts in the years to come."

“The dictionary has been in the making for several decades, and the result is well worth the wait. MacLean and those who worked with her have consulted with Iñupiaq speakers from across Alaska’s North Slope to compile a comprehensive collection of word stems, along with postbases, grammatical endings, and an array of other valuable material. . . . This dictionary will prove fascinating for anyone interested in the Iñupiat and their language.”

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